Higinio “Gene” Laureano
Higinio “Gene” Laureano
Tom Hall
Petty officer 2nd class US Navy Tom Hall. Tom Hall joined the navy after one year of college to take a break from school and see the world some. He was in the navy for 6 years and is a Gulf War vet. A motorcycle accident in 2001 caused his complete spinal cord injury, resulting…
Todd Kemery
Corporal Todd Kemery Todd Kemery joined the marines in 1978 and served in Okinawa, Japan as a helicopter mechanic. While in California in 1982, enjoying the ocean, the surf tossed him, causing an incomplete spinal cord injury.
Eric Scot Poehler
Eric Scot Poehler Eric Scot Poehler served in the Air Force as an aircraft instrument repairman, completing a tour of duty in Vietnam. After his military service he earned a college degree, becoming a photographer. In 2006, a car crash caused a complete spinal cord injury, resulting in paraplegia. He continues to be very active…
Benjamin Keechler
Benjamin Keechler Benjamin Keechler served in the United States Army as a helicopter mechanic, serving in one tour to Korea. He continued in the private sector as a mechanic following his service. While on a camping trip with his family he felt poorly and lay down, at which time he started feeling numbness in his…
Jon Schuetz
Jon Schuetz Jon Schuetz fell in love with the ocean when he lived in Florida, and always wanted to learn to scuba dive. He did snorkel in the Florida Keys and knew one day he would dive below. In 2007, Jon was in a motorcycle accident that broke four bones in his neck, resulting in…
Kathryn McCabe
Kathryn McCabe Kathryn McCabe suffered a stroke in 2012 and is working hard to regain strength in her right side. She walks with a cane and enjoys the water. A diver before her stroke, she is working to enjoy this sport again despite her hemiplegia.
Cody Johnson
Cody Johnson Cody Johnson joined the Marines and spent a year and a half in the infantry before being medically discharged for a problem with his ankles. In 2014, Cody suffered a gunshot wound to his left leg, resulting in an amputation. In 2015, he applied to the Dive Pirates Foundation. This came after a…
Courtney Mazzola
Courtney Mazzola Courtney Mazzola has been blind since birth, and perceives some movement and light. She loves the ocean and can’t wait to feel the open space of underwater. She never even thought about diving until friend and dive pirate Michael Malarsie convinced her to give it a try. Now she can’t wait!
Avery Downing
An amazing young lady and accomplished gymnast, Avery Downing suffered a fall that caused a spinal cord injury. Now, even with paraplegia, she remains independent and drives herself. She loves a challenge and looks forward to diving.